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http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3 ... 63,00.htmlKubica - KERS will be a handicap
Thursday 18th December 2008
Robert Kubica has said that the introduction of KERS into Formula One may hinder his World Championship chances in 2009.
The new Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems, which store heat energy from a car's brakes to use as a power boost, are set to arrive next season.
Although the devices are not compulsory, teams have already started testing their own versions, with Kubica's team, BMW Sauber, prominent among their number.
The decision to fit KERS will probably depend on whether the gain in lap time afforded by the power boost is greater than the handicap of its additional weight.
And, following the lead of Mark Webber, the Pole has registered his concern about how KERS might also penalise F1's heavier drivers.
Speaking to the Official Formula One website, Kubica said: "From my personal point of view - as I am a tall and heavy driver - it is not really positive.
"The weight of KERS is quite influential, especially when it comes to weight distribution, so it is limiting me quite a lot.
"It is nice when you press it as you feel an additional boost, so yes it works.
"But we have to see, closer to the first race, which configuration (with or without KERS) is the quicker one."
Kubica also said that the ban on in-season testing, announced last week as part of a raft of measures to cut costs, may have a dramatic effect on next year's title race.
He said that any team able to find the right set-up from the start will have a distinct advantage, while one struggling to adapt to 2009's new regulations might find it hard to catch up.
With no test sessions allowed between races, teams will be forced to wait until Friday practice ahead of grands prix to try out any new developments.
Asked whether a team who started the season badly might continue to struggle, Kubica said: "Yes, that might be the case, so it is very important for us to start the right way.
"With all these new regulations that have to be implemented next season it was paramount to start early.
"Now I think the work of engineers and designers will become more important in the workshop because until now we have always had the opportunity to test before using anything.
"But now the importance of simulation work and the wind tunnel will increase, to make sure that what you put on the car is giving you the results you want.
"Of course, driver input can be important and have some influence, but in the end I don't design the car, we have experts for that in the factory.
"My guess is we will see bigger gaps between the teams, and the team that is in the front at the beginning will stay at the front for longer.
"For the teams who don't get it right, who don't start on the right foot, it will take longer to catch up, and that will have a big influence on how the Championship develops."
Aside from KERS, 2009 brings the re-introduction of slick tyres and aerodynamic changes designed to allow cars to circulate closer together - all intended to allow more overtaking.
- By darwin dali